Thistledown agreement outlines area where track can move

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerHorses work out at Thistledown in early May. The track could move from North Randall to the Akron-Canton area.

If Thistledown leaves North Randall, it's headed for a site near the Akron-Canton Airport.

The owners of the horse racing track have an agreement with Gov. John Kasich that limits their choice of sites to an area between Akron and Canton along Interstate 77.

Under the agreement, which was announced Wednesday, Rock Ohio Caesars may move the thoroughbred track within a 12-mile radius of GPS coordinates in the southeast corner of Green. Rock Ohio was known to be looking at property in that vicinity.

Rich Exner, The Plain DealerUnder an agreement with the governor's office, Thistledown could relocate within this area covering Canton, parts of Akron and surrounding communities.

Rock Ohio, which also owns the new Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, plans to operate slots-like video lottery terminals at the track. But the company has expressed interest in moving the track farther from the Horseshoe to avoid competing with itself.

The state's agreement with Rock Ohio will let the company temporarily install up to 2,500 machines at Thistledown in North Randall while reserving the right to move. Kasich's office and Rock Ohio will set a deadline for the company to decide whether the track will move.

Kasich wants to position Ohio's gambling interests to maximize their profits and tax benefits for the state. Ohio will eventually have four casinos under a 2009 constitutional amendment and up to seven racetracks with video lottery terminals, a plan authorized by the legislature.

Scioto Downs in Columbus opened the first "racino" a week ago. Northfield Park, a harness track not far from Thistledown, has announced plans to team with Hard Rock International on a $275 million development.

Another casino owner, Penn National Gaming, plans to move a Columbus racetrack to the Youngstown area. Both Penn and Rock Ohio waived a previous agreement that would forbid the operations to be within 50 miles of each other.

Once Rock Ohio selects a permanent location for Thistledown, it must spend $150 million to improve the site. If the track moves, the company also must pay the state a $25 million relocation fee.

Video lottery terminal licenses and moving a racetrack require approval from the Ohio Lottery Commission and the state Racing Commission.